Ask the Author: Cameron Hart
Answered Questions (3)
Cameron Hart
I woke up in the middle of the night and scribbled out some jumbled words in the notebook I keep by my bed. In the morning, I read my great idea, "Something about the mafia. Libraries. Lots of spaghetti."
I told a bookstagram friend about the funny idea I wrote down, and she told me I HAD to write a mafia series. So... here I am. Working on the first book in a new mafia series!
I told a bookstagram friend about the funny idea I wrote down, and she told me I HAD to write a mafia series. So... here I am. Working on the first book in a new mafia series!
Cameron Hart
Most of my books are based around a particular scene that pops into my head. I have a huge word doc full of scenes that have been on replay in my head. When it's time to start a new book, I go over the list of scenes, pick one, and start an outline!
Sometimes I'll get inspired for a scene/idea from reading other books and connecting with a particular character's struggle or a redemptive arc. I've also literally had ideas come to me in my dreams, haha. Sometimes it's just a sentence, a line of dialog, or an image, but the more I think about it, the more I'm able to flesh out the scene and eventually the entire outline. Plus, let's not underestimate the power of tropes within the romance genre ;)
Sometimes I'll get inspired for a scene/idea from reading other books and connecting with a particular character's struggle or a redemptive arc. I've also literally had ideas come to me in my dreams, haha. Sometimes it's just a sentence, a line of dialog, or an image, but the more I think about it, the more I'm able to flesh out the scene and eventually the entire outline. Plus, let's not underestimate the power of tropes within the romance genre ;)
Cameron Hart
First and most important: You have to write for you. Write because the story needs to be told, because the characters in your head won't let you sleep at night, because that idea nagging at the back of your mind needs to be put down on paper. There will be pushback on your work, negative reviews, people who "just don't get it." But if you are passionate about your work and write because there's no other option, then you will weather the storm.
Secondly, everyone tells you not to read the reviews, but let's be honest; you're going to anyway. I had about a dozen 4&5 star reviews on my first book, which was so surreal and amazing! But then I got a brutal one-star review and I was crushed. I thought about it for weeks afterward, despite the other reviews. Keep pressing on. Remember - you're writing for you, not for a review ;)
Finally, reach out to other authors! I've found such a supportive community on Instagram and Facebook. Plenty of authors are willing to share advice and past experiences. I love talking to new (and seasoned) authors! Find me on Instagram (@cameron.hart.author) and tell me about your book!
Secondly, everyone tells you not to read the reviews, but let's be honest; you're going to anyway. I had about a dozen 4&5 star reviews on my first book, which was so surreal and amazing! But then I got a brutal one-star review and I was crushed. I thought about it for weeks afterward, despite the other reviews. Keep pressing on. Remember - you're writing for you, not for a review ;)
Finally, reach out to other authors! I've found such a supportive community on Instagram and Facebook. Plenty of authors are willing to share advice and past experiences. I love talking to new (and seasoned) authors! Find me on Instagram (@cameron.hart.author) and tell me about your book!
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